Location
10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU

Hours
Full Time - 37 hours per week

Salary
£60,778 – £68,422 per annum plus benefits

About the Role
We are seeking a Horizon Scanning Specialist to join the Innovation Accelerator Function within the Innovation and Compliance group at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This permanent, full-time role offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of healthcare innovation and regulatory science, supporting the identification and assessment of emerging healthcare technologies and innovations.

The Innovation Accelerator is a specialist MHRA function that supports innovation in healthcare products while ensuring patient and public health protection. It drives regulatory policy development for novel and transformative products, collaborating with MHRA experts, government departments, and external partners to optimise routes to market.

The Horizon Scanning Specialist will lead major analytical and policy-focused projects, including horizon scanning studies, deep dives, and intelligence products that translate complex emerging signals into actionable scientific, policy, and regulatory advice. The role involves advising senior colleagues, supporting prioritisation and governance, deputising for the Head of Horizon Scanning and Business Intelligence when required, and helping to develop and embed the agency-wide horizon scanning function.

Drawing on specialist scientific or technical expertise, the postholder will work across internal and external evidence and business intelligence sources to assess emerging trends in healthcare products regulated by MHRA. This role offers the chance to engage with experts and partners across the health and innovation system, influencing regulatory approaches to emerging science and technology.

Experience
- Significant experience in horizon scanning, futures, intelligence, or related analytical work, with a proven track record of using structured approaches to identify, prioritise, and assess emerging trends, technologies, or products.
- Experience synthesising complex information from diverse sources to deliver timely, robust, and useful outputs using proportionate evidence-review methods and appropriate digital and analytical tools.
- Experience using AI-enabled tools, automation, text analytics, or data visualisation to support horizon scanning, research, or business intelligence is desirable.

About You
- Ability to critically appraise and synthesise complex, incomplete, or conflicting evidence from scientific literature, clinical trials, internal and market intelligence, stakeholder engagement, and international regulatory developments.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to produce and present high-quality outputs for senior and technical audiences.
- Proven ability to develop proportionate methodologies, quality-assurance approaches, and build effective stakeholder relationships.
- Comfortable deputising for senior roles and leading defined work packages.

Qualifications
- Educated to bachelor's degree level in a scientific, technical, or analysis-related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- Technical knowledge of medicines and/or medical devices, including innovation or academic research.
- Skilled in data analysis and reporting.
- Postgraduate qualification or equivalent specialist experience in a relevant scientific, technical, healthcare innovation, or regulatory discipline is desirable.